My purse was bulging, heavy as a boulder, slung over my shoulder. I got tired of heaving the massive weight around and took a look to see what was weighing it down. Low and behold - it was all the coupons we've been scooping up at area stores. Yes, coupons. Hundreds of them, and then some. Apparently when I wasn't paying attention - the coupons simply wandered over into my purse and have been multiplying like bunnies.

Luckily enough, I had my two coupon organizers with me: one for current coupons, one for the expired ones - Dominicks and sometimes Ultra will let us use them. Anyway - they're more than worth hanging onto. It was a simple project, cut/tear/gnaw/hack off extraneous paper, organize coupons, remove all expired and soon to expire coupons from the current coupon holder, and refile all the expired coupons in their separate coupon box. Pull all coupons to be used for tomorrow's hounding, so I'm ready and rearing to go.

Now I'm ready to barrel into August, armed with a smattering of wits, a fist full of ocupons, and some serious attitude. Oh, wait, I'm always armed with attitude! It's not often I get to this level of organization, but when I do - I like to stand at the top of my metaphorical mountain, look around, and generally feel good about myself. Well, until this time next month....that's another story entirely. Here's how I look at it: time spent: 2 hours, 15 minutes. All that money to be saved = priceless.

This summer is all about piggy love! Why would anyone declare such a thing? Because, in part, of the Gather Round the Grill coupon, giving us $6 off pork with each bag of Kingsford charcoal we buy. The other part - it tastes soo good with all the in-season fruits that are abundantly affordable this time of year. Take it from my pal, Amiyrah, over at 4 Hats & Frugal - her Peachy Chicken/Pork recipe has become an all-time favorite. Or top some lovely grilled pork kebabs, chops, steaks, or tenderloin with a mango pico de gallo, chutney, or salsa - and that is heaven.

As my taste buds mature (finally!), I have been getting bolder and saucier with my flavors. No longer am I cowering before Kung Pao, terrified of teryaki, or weak before a Whiskey sauce - I want to taste my way through life - and pork is such a great conduit for my many experiments. When looking for a lean cut of meat, I tend to turn to pork first.

With each week or so that passes, I'm attempting another piggy experiment. Last weekend, it was a tag team effort. I marinated a pair of half pork tenderloins in some soy, and gave it a simple rub. DH took over from there - as he's officially Licensed to Grill (his T-shirt said so).

Between DaMama, DH, & I - there was a 1/4 of one of the tenderloin's left - which becamse excellent sammies, with the help of some English muffins. The rest - a sinfully yummy sandwich, and less deli meat I needed to buy. Not that I was low - I just resent paying $3-$7 lb. for some small scraps of meat. But, I digress...

Now that we need more charcoal - I just have to ask myself: What kind of pork do I want this time? Let's see who's on sale! Tell me, have you stocked up on pork because of the Gather Round the Grill coupon?

I've been going crazy trying to print off all the Kraft Q's a girl could ever use and I know how to use them! I think I've managed to print off 4 sets, and now I'm perusing all the frugal/coupon blogs I love to find out which stores to hit once I'm settled into the new townhouse. I may even try to print of another set at DMIL's place. I love my coupons!

I have to remind myself - no more shopping/hounding until I've moved in....and then I buy more free apples at Target. Or an extra roll of ground turkey (or 3). Or grab some other small cheawpie/freebie that, inevitably, takes up another box of "stuff" that we have to move.

So now that we have the keys, we'll be moving some of the kitchen/bathroom stuff tonight, with the big move planned for Sunday - and I'll figure out where to set up the market - because the upstairs pantry is a joke - apparently Chicago suburbs are the new New York. People store clothing in their ovens and don't require a pantry.

Yes, the pantry is virtually non-existent - I've never seen such a small pantry in all my days. And the funniest part - the pantry has shelves on one side of it. The other half - a big, empty space. DH suggested that we use that space for mop, brooms, etc. I suggested that somebody help me set up a real pantry - and quickly!

The cool thing about the new place is it's within walking distance of a CVS & a Wags! Unfortunately, it's also within walking distance of a burrito place, McD's, a tiny Chinese place, 2 pizza places, and a hotdog place. It's never good to have fast-food that close. It's like asking for trouble. Maybe that's why the pantry is so small..... See, I'm slow, but I get there just the same. It all makes more sense to me know. I love a good conspiracy theory - even if it just involves my pantry! Or lack thereof.

I've been reading other blogs organizational ideas, stockpiling before and after pic's - and I can't wait to get my own stockpile, Annie's Market, open for business again. So far, DH has accused me of packing all the body wash (guilty), not leaving him a spare lemonade canister (guilty again), and of having packed the ketchup (like I care - I don't even eat it.....that often). With the Market packed, it's making me more excited/anxious/eager-as-hell to get into the new place and get back to a more normal life. Wishful thinking....